• Meeting registration and a federal-rate per diem stipend
• Travel and housing accommodations for the event
• Mentoring opportunities with professionals within WAFWA
• Professional development skills education, practice and critique
• Dedicated student/professional networking opportunities
• Access to committee sessions at the event to witness current issue discussions
• Newsletter updates including career opportunities sent to participants after the event

This program is hosted by WAFWA’s Access and Engagement Committee.

“I was thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in the Student Engagement Program. As a master’s student exploring post-grad opportunities, I was excited to learn about the diverse conservation challenges and projects being tackled across the West. Attending committee and working group meetings gave me a unique opportunity to observe state agencies collaborating to address management challenges, share knowledge, and celebrate successes. As a student, having the chance to sit in on these discussions and observe how management decisions are made was an invaluable experience that few conferences can offer.
Everyone I met throughout the week was incredibly welcoming and genuinely interested in getting to know the students. I appreciated the scheduled socials and group dinners, which created a relaxed environment to connect with professionals from a variety of agencies and organizations. These events made networking feel approachable and helped foster meaningful conversations beyond the conference sessions. The experience left me feeling inspired and excited to navigate my path outside of the world of academia, and it’s reassuring to know that, although the conference has ended, the SEP coordinators continue to encourage and support us as we move forward in our careers!”
– Madison Casey, 2026 SEP Student

“Attending WAFWA 2026 as an SEP student has been an incredible experience. As a professional returning to graduate school, I came to better understand how the fish and wildlife community communicates, the challenges it faces, and how organizations like WAFWA bring together state, federal, Tribal, and nonprofit partners to address complex conservation issues.
I was impressed by both the professionalism of the conference and the welcoming environment it fostered. As a woman in the field, attending the Women in Wildlife luncheon on the first day opened the door to meaningful connections with other professionals. The committee meetings, workshops, and networking events were invaluable! I highly encourage both students and professionals to get involved with WAFWA. This is where relationships are built, ideas are shared, and change happens.”
“To anyone attending I highly recommend my motto of listen intently, think big, debate intelligently, and care endlessly”
– Krista Romero-Cardenas 2026 SEP Student

“This has been one of the most productive and helpful conferences I have been to. While I am just starting my PhD and not exactly at the stage where I am looking for jobs yet, I still got so much out of the experience. I’ve had so many questions that are hard to find answers for online or through professors and being able to discuss them with people who are in this field and were once in my shoes was immensely helpful. But I think what was most impactful to me was how much [the SEP Working Group] worked to make us feel like we belonged in that space. It was easy to tell that I wasn’t the only one who felt this way; I loved watching each of the fellows grow more and more confident as the conference went on.”
– Luisa Zamora Chavez, 2026 SEP Student

“I couldn’t have imagined the powerful impact of being a member of the Student Engagement Program Cohort. I have never been amongst so many decision makers or seen so many different forms that the wildlife profession can take. I was able to sit in on conversations that hit on the most relevant and hot button topics, that researchers are trying to find methodologies to, managers are trying to implement, chiefs are trying to oversee, and directors are funding and selling the ideas for. There is a growing recognition that the more diverse a group we have at the table, the more creative and flexible our problem-solving ability will be. I was honored to be invited into the room, and to have professionals show genuine interest in engaging with students. It demonstrated a commitment and investment in the next generation that I haven’t often seen.” – Elizabeth Painter-Flores, 2024 SEP Student

“Before coming to this conference, I didn’t really know anything about working with fish and wildlife agencies. I didn’t have any experience and the only interactions I had was getting my bow and rifle registered for 4-H shooting competitions. I only knew that I was interested in it. Participating in this program helped me find specific jobs of interest that I didn’t know were options (like R3s or working in communications), in addition to learning more about how to get into fields I already had interest in (like wildlife biology, conservation, and rehabilitation). I would definitely consider working for the state or federal agencies, especially now that I know there are way more job options than I originally thought.” -Jade Collins, 2024 SEP Student

“As a graduate student, it can be challenging to figure out next steps, particularly when academic research is at the forefront of your graduate school experience. The Student Engagement Program allowed me to more fully understand the management side of fish and wildlife and piqued my interest in various agency initiatives.

This experience was unparalleled to other conferences and workshops I have attended. It gave me the opportunity to connect with high-level industry professionals that I would not have otherwise met in the academic world. Observing the nitty gritty of organizational decision-making in action is something that many people never get to see, let alone while you are still a student. Having this experience early on in my career helped me see where I can see myself in this field and how I can get there.” – Lily Olmo, 2024 SEP Student

“From the moment I got off the flight the hospitality, the staff, the other students, the different professionals were all so welcoming. This conference has truly helped me get ready to advance the next step in my career. Getting to meet and have one on one conversations with some high-level professionals from all the Western agencies was the best part.”- Sierra Williams, 2024 SEP Student

This program is primarily funded by WAFWA member agencies who have volunteered to contribute. If your agency is interested in participating, we can use your support, too! See Member Support Flyer (5MB)

Would you like to sponsor next year’s student program? Additional support will stretch our member dollars to reach more students! See our Partner Sponsorship Flyer (5MB) or contact Cortney Mycroft (cortney.mycroft@wafwa.org) if you are interested in partnering with this effort.

Finally, spread the word! We accept college students from Western States and Provinces. 2026 Student Engagement Flyer (5MB)